ASA direct track checkride PASSED!

DE727UPS said:
"You're not going to make me spell that scenario out any clearer for you, are you DE?"

I think what you are trying to say is if Skywest/ASA stops hiring direct track guys, it's no reflection on the quality of pilot direct track puts out but it's simply Skywest making a statement that they don't feel direct track guys are qualified to be pilots for them. How's that?
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No, thats not what I am trying to say.

Skywest "attempted" to partake in a low time pilot program in 2001. It was an utter failure. The program was set up through Utah Valley State College and any "FBO" ( yeah, I said FBO) that wanted to participate. The students would wear Skywest uniforms while training at the FBO schools while completing their degree with UVSC. The students failed miserably on not only making it to the interview but ultimatley failing the interview itself.

The point is...... Skywest made a go with an FBO style direct track and it failed miserably. So, if they choose to stay away from all "lower" time direct track programs its because of their past experience that was "unfortunately" with FBO schools. Had they gone to someone like FlightSafety in the first place they would probably still be on board with the lower time hiring programs.

The point to the "apples" story was...... just because Skywest may not support the programs any longer, that doesn't mean the programs do not work providing a proficient low time pilot.

Any questions?

ILS
 
Oh. Why didn't you just say that the first time?

You're take on USVC and Skywest is interesting. I'll have to ask around and see what my friends that work there have to say.
 
Actually the program with SkyWest and UVSC was similar to the "instructor track" ASA dealio that FSA had (i'm not sure if they still do). One way to ASA was to pay the bucks, do the training, get the COE and Bam, you were in. If you didn't want to do that, you had the option of instructing in the ASA program (teaching ASA direct track students who went for option 1 above) for 800 hours and getting a guaranteed interview. That is exactly what SkyWest had with the FBO's....get your licenses, and instruct for them (the FBO) for 800 hours and you had a guaranteed interview......now the uniform part must have been an isolated FBO, because the 2 FBO's I fly out of in L.A. had the flyers up, but no one was prancing around in a SkyWest uniform.
 
"get your licenses, and instruct for them (the FBO) for 800 hours and you had a guaranteed interview"

Sounds more like DCA. Nothing at all like FSA direct track.
 
DE727UPS said:
Oh. Why didn't you just say that the first time?

You're take on USVC and Skywest is interesting. I'll have to ask around and see what my friends that work there have to say.
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Alot of people have never known that Skywest attempted a "lower" time "gauranteed interview" program. I was under the impression that it was like 600 hours and believe it or not "30" hours multi.

I would be willing to bet that since Skywest has already been to FlightSafety Academy at least once, maybe twice, to look at the direct track, that they will listen to the folks at ASA and give it another look before pushing it out the door.

Just for you DE, I hope Skywest signs on as well....

ILS
 
DE727UPS said:
"get your licenses, and instruct for them (the FBO) for 800 hours and you had a guaranteed interview"

Sounds more like DCA. Nothing at all like FSA direct track.
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it was actually a second option to the direct track when it started up at FSA.....i think it was called the instructor track or something like that...I might even have the shiny brochures from that era...........The big thing was you were stuck teaching ASA direct track program people for 800 hours and then you got your interview.......
 
"I would be willing to bet that since Skywest has already been to FlightSafety Academy at least once"

You can bet all you want but not long ago someone posted that FSA has been to Skywest several times and Skywest isn't buying it. I'd be surprised as Skywest has no need for such foolishness as they are considered one of the top regionals and don't have trouble attracting qualified candidates.

If there was some other sort of FSA "direct track" where guys got CFI's and entered the regionals at 1000 total, then that's great.
 
DE727UPS said:
"If there was some other sort of FSA "direct track" where guys got CFI's and entered the regionals at 1000 total, then that's great.
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There was. It lasted all of about a year......september 11th pretty much called that program off. All the instructors in the ASA program had only accumulated about 200 hours.............
 
DE727UPS said:
You can bet all you want but not long ago someone posted that FSA has been to Skywest several times and Skywest isn't buying it. I'd be surprised as Skywest has no need for such foolishness as they are considered one of the top regionals and don't have trouble attracting qualified candidates.
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Of course Flight Safety has approached them.... Them, and every other descent regional out there. However, Skywest would not have made the trip TO THE ACADEMY if they were not at least interested.

As for foolishness.... well, we have covered the pro's and con's of the programs on the market today and we ALL know where you stand. I just can't stand read your resonses to them again....

ILS
 
"Of course Flight Safety has approached them.... Them, and every other descent regional out there."

Then how come, according to the FSA's website, only FOUR (4) airlines participate in AATP? Guess a lot of airlines weren't impressed, or most aren't decent enough for FSA...

ASA hires the vast majority. If that pipeline drys up because of the Skywest buyout where are the new direct entry guys gonna go? My guess is Skywest will eventally merge the two airlines for economy of scale and FSA will be out the door.

We'll see....just don't say I didn't warn ya.
 
Hey I haven't really read all these posts, but I'll just say I've seen a lot of crappy 1500hr+ pilots come through the Citation II program. So it seems high time doesn't always equate to a better pilot.
 
DE727UPS said:
"Of course Flight Safety has approached them.... Them, and every other descent regional out there."

Then how come, according to the FSA's website, only FOUR (4) airlines participate in AATP? Guess a lot of airlines weren't impressed, or most aren't decent enough for FSA...

ASA hires the vast majority. If that pipeline drys up because of the Skywest buyout where are the new direct entry guys gonna go? My guess is Skywest will eventally merge the two airlines for economy of scale and FSA will be out the door.

We'll see....just don't say I didn't warn ya.
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I don't know Big D, "FOUR" regionals signing on say's alot about the program don't ya think? I know that they have approached these regionals and here was the outcome...

ACA (they wanted to but their future was obviously uncertain)

ASA Signed on

XJET Signed on

AE Signed on

Net Jets (owned by same company but has mins promised to fractional owners)

TSA Signed on

Here are the only two on the west coast that I know they have met with. They have tried to get a contract with a west coast carrier which I think is a good idea for student interest.

Skywest (has been to the academy to look at the program)

horizon (has a long standing "lower" hiring mins agreement with UND based on hiring needs)


I would say that FOUR out of the EIGHT regionals betting on FSA to provide them with a 300-500 hour pilot that is more proficient than their average CFI applicant that meets the mins is pretty good. Not to mention that we do have an agreement with Netjets for the instructors once they hit a certain number of hours (1000-1200 I think).

IF...... Skywest merges the companies and pulls the plug on the program then it is what it is. There will be other regionals and corporations that will sign on and stay because the program is solid and has been a major success so far.

Remember, it is always based on hiring needs. When AE signed on they said they needed twenty+ pilots a month from the program. That can change in a second. I am not sure how many they actually have been taking as I am no longer there.

We'll see I guess...

ILS
 
Snow said:
Hey I haven't really read all these posts, but I'll just say I've seen a lot of crappy 1500hr+ pilots come through the Citation II program. So it seems high time doesn't always equate to a better pilot.
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WELL SAID.......

ILS
 
ILS,

Like I said.... :banghead:

Doesn't matter what you, I, or anyone else says about the program there are people that don't like the it. No matter what you say they will have some comment in return. Like UPS said earlier, I want to hear from the pilots that actually fly with the direct track guys and get their opinion. What I don't care for is the people who make comments about pilots they have never flown with or seen first hand the training they have gone through.

But ya know what, they can moan and groan all they want. In another few months I'm gonna be flying for a regional whether they like it or not.
 
"Doesn't matter what you, I, or anyone else says about the program there are people that don't like...it."

A LOT of people. Ask around at the other forums. Flightinfo's a fun place...

"In another few months I'm gonna be flying for a regional whether they like it or not."

Why is it taking so long?
 
Well, guess what, ITS DONE!

And at the moment they don't have classes, for anyone. Which is what I said in my first post. But I know you just saw "Direct Track" and had to once again remind us how much you don't like it. Just a hint, we all get it.
 
:yeahthat:
lmao badco,

Sounds like you know how to call it. You're not the only one here who is tired of the same useless rant.
Bottom line: Good on ya! Congrats with the progression of your flying career, because that's what this forum is all about. I hope that ASA opens the doors to the classroom for you soon, I have a few friends in the pool as well. Good luck!

SF-out
 
"And at the moment they don't have classes, for anyone."

Yeah. This is one of the negatives of direct track. Thanks for helping me make the point....again.

You have no options outside the one airline you sign on with. If that one airline doesn't hire for a period of time, you are outta luck. Now see, if you had your CFI rating you could spend your time prior to your ASA class date building time and experience. You'd bring more to the cockpit of the jet when you actually get there and would gain valuable instructing experience that will serve you well when you upgrade to the left seat.

Useless rant it is? Funny how everyone defending the program is ex-FSA. The Koolaid must be really good over there. It's only useless because it seems nobody comes here but FSA guys. Don't worry, I'm taking what you guys call a useless rant, and I consider educating the masses on the folly of direct track, to the other forums. Stay tuned...
 
DE727UPS said:
"Funny how everyone defending the program is ex-FSA."
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Wrong again, I'm not ex-FSA.

DE727UPS said:
"Don't worry, I'm taking what you guys call a useless rant, and I consider educating the masses on the folly of direct track, to the other forums. Stay tuned..."
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Please go. I really expect more out of some guy who's profile and posts make them to be a professional pilot. Some of this is rich and fun to read, but really, it's starting to sound fairly juvenile, and unprofessional.

At ease, gentlemen.
 
Yeah...here's my point. Direct Track is not popular amongst the masses. I'm trying to start a thread at another site to prove it. Now, if ya'll don't care or that means nothing to you. Then, that's fine. Just say so. But if you could see the looks on the faces of the guys I talk to about 300 hour pilots flying around in RJ's that say Delta on the side of them, you'd understand my concern.

At ease, yourself...
 
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